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Libralind2
Veteran Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 983
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 11:17 pm: | 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Deborah Gabriel
Imani Media Ltd
deborahgabriel@imani-media.com
JOURNALIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST BECOMES THE FIRST AUTHOR IN THE UK TO
TACKLE COLOURISM
London, England (BlackNews.com) - How many books on colorism have you come
across written by an author in the UK? Probably none, because this is the first
book to emerge from the UK African Diaspora that takes an in-depth look at
the process of discrimination based on skin tone, that occurs within people of
the same ethnic group.
Written by tough-talking journalist/Pan-Africanist/human rights activist
Deborah Gabriel, Layers of Blackness examines the issue of colourism from a
global African perspective, tracing its evolution from slavery and colonization in
the USA, Jamaica, Latin America and the UK. The book examines how blackness
has been denigrated since the 3rd century BCE through religion, scientific
racism and popular culture, resulting in the psychological phenomenon of colourism
as a means of escaping the negative characteristics and economic disadvantages
associated with dark skin.
An interesting chapter on the human evolution of skin color examines
different theories on the evolution of mankind and how skin color evolved in human
beings from the dark skin found in most people of African descent to the paler
skin of Europeans. The author makes it clear in the book, that colourism is not
some peculiar practice engaged in by people of color for the sake of it, but
a legacy of slavery and colonization that is part of a wider system of white
supremacy. This is explained in detail in the chapter on whiteness and white
supremacy, while the chapter on blackness and black identity looks at positive
representations of blackness both in historical and contemporary times.
In the chapter on Jamaica, Donna Mc Farlane, the Director and Curator of
Liberty Hall, the Legacy of Marcus Garvey states that: "In spite of the gains of
the Black Power era, the mantra of I am Black and I am Proud has receded into
the background, only to be replaced once again by bleaching creams." A
Jamaican study published in January 2007 also provides evidence that a stigma against
dark skin still exists in Jamaica with children aged between three and six
years old showing a preference for light skin.
Author Deborah Gabriel believes that it is time that people took a more
serious view of colourism. She said: "People need to understand that colourism
goes beyond personal preferences and aesthetic ideals -- we are talking about
social and economic disparities among people of African descent because of skin
color and that's a big deal."
At the recent book launch in the UK held at the London College of
Communication where the author studied, Gary Naylor, Assistant Dean of the School of
Media said: "I'm looking forward to directing students that I teach and who are
taught here and elsewhere in the university and in universities beyond London
and the UK, to look at the issues that are raised, to look at how Deborah
presents these issues, carries them forward and gives us opportunities to look at
this kind of material."
Dr Sandra Richards, Academic and broadcaster: "How bold and important this
work is. It's something that many of us are aware of but we don't talk about."
A special offer to purchase the book has just been launched solely for US
buyers who can save 30% of the normal price of the book and get FREE postage and
package. To take advantage of the offer and watch the highlights of the
London book launch in a 7-1/2 min video clip, visit the website
www.layersofblackness.com
-END-
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10740
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 11:30 pm: |
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A book on colorism by a foreigner! Gee, somebody beat kola to the punch.  |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5803
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 03:43 pm: |
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Haw! This gal is about 200 years behind the whole world. |
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